RESCHEDULING CONVERSATION ON “ARE THERE LIMITS TO CIVIL DISCOURSE AND FREE SPEECH?”

Readers may recall that the November 2017 conversation on the question of possible limits to civil discourse and free speech was terminated due to a death in the family of one of the conversation partners.

This conversation has been rescheduled for July 2018 with the following conversation partners:

Current Conversation: Reforming Political Discourse

Current Topic (#9): Healthcare in America (May 2018)

Leading Questions: Is healthcare a public good that everyone has a “right” to (and therefore government has a role to play in securing that “right” for everyone) or is healthcare a private good; a “privilege” that is primarily the responsibility of each individual with minimal governmental assistance? What are the problems with the healthcare system in America? How can the present healthcare system be improved? Is there a Christian perspective that can inform such improvement?

Conversation Partners:

Clarke Cochran, Professor Emeritus of Political Science at Texas Tech University & Former Vice President for Mission Integration at Covenant Health in Lubbock, Texas

Topic #1: Talking Past Each Other or Worse (September 2017)

In preparation for a conversation about the possibility of a “Christian Approach to Political Discourse” (subtopic A2), we will first analyze the current dismal state of political discourse, as illustrated by the reactions of two conversation partners to two reports (presented below) on a recent political news story: One report from a left-leaning commentator and one report from a right-leaning commentator.

Leading Question: What are the goals of these reports? What audiences are they appealing to? What rhetorical tools are being employed? What do you find to be helpful in these reports? What do you criticize in these reports?

Leading Questions: What are the reasons for the current appalling state of political discourse that often leads to demonization of the other, name-calling, questioning of motives and broken relationships? What are the characteristics of a constructive political discourse from a Christian perspective? What does it mean for Christians to love their enemies in politics?

Topic #3: Are There Limits to Free Speech and Civil Discourse? (November 2017)

Leading Questions: What are the strengths and weaknesses of the proposed Christian perspective on political discourse (Subtopic 2)? Are there ideas so repugnant and dangerous that they shouldn’t be allowed to be uttered in public? What is wrong, if anything, with passionate speech? Are there limits to civility? Is the call for civility a means of control by those in power? Is the call for civility a means to marginalize those “who have no voice?”

Conversation Partners:

Micah Watson, Associate Professor of Political Science, Calvin College

Due to a death in the family of one of our conversation partners, the November conversation was not able to be continued beyond the November 1 postings. This subtopic will be addressed again, in its entirety, in July 2018 (with new conversation partners, due to the unavailability of Julia and Micah)

Topic #4: The Notion of Politics (December 2017)

Leading Questions: What does “politics” mean and what are its aims? What are the characteristics of a well-functioning political system? Is our current political system functioning well? If not, why not and what can be done to address the current dysfunction? What distinguishes a Christian political engagement and how can such engagement contribute to a well-functioning political system?

In addition to the comments submitted by readers for the individual postings of the conversation partners on the 1st, 10th and 20th of this month, some readers may wish to submit comments on the entire month’s conversation. To do so, follow this link.

Topic #5: Party Politics and Beyond (January 2018)

Leading Questions: What are the political priorities and values of the Republican and Democratic parties in the early 21 st century? How well do these values and priorities comport, or not, with Christian values? If not, what changes in priorities and values need to be made? Should Republicans and Democrats transcend their particular ideologies? If so, how?

In addition to the comments submitted by readers for the individual postings of the conversation partners on the 1st, 10th and 20th of this month, some readers may wish to submit comments on the entire month’s conversation. To do so, follow this link.

Topic #6: The Role of Money and Special Interests in Politics (February 2018)

Leading Questions: How have money and special interests influenced politics, for good or for ill? What is your position on the Citizens United decision of the Supreme Court? Should the role of lobbyists for special interests be restricted? Should there be stricter conflict of interest rules? What are the implications of your position for President Trump’s “negotiating a deal” approach to politics?

Kimberly Conger, Assistant Professor of Political Science & Public Administration, University of Cincinnati

In addition to the comments submitted by readers for the individual postings of the conversation partners on the 1st, 10th and 20th of this month, some readers may wish to submit comments on the entire month’s conversation. To do so, follow this link.

Topic #7: Immigration (March 2018)

Leading Questions: Are current immigration laws and deportation practices just? Is so, why? If not, why not and what changes should be made? Is there a way for Christians and Christian churches to respond to undocumented immigrants that will avoid harm to both undocumented immigrants and citizens?

In addition to the comments submitted by readers for the individual postings of the conversation partners on the 1st, 10th and 20th of this month, some readers may wish to submit comments on the entire month’s conversation. To do so, follow this link.

Current Topic (#8): Wealth and Poverty in America (April 2018)

Leading Questions: America is increasingly divided between rich and poor. What are the root causes of poverty and wealth disparity in America? Is there a connection between wealth disparity in America and disparities in the rest of the world? Is there a biblical and Christian ideal for the distribution of wealth, both nationally and globally? How should Christians respond personally and politically to national and global poverty and wealth disparity?

Conversation Partners:

Kelly Johnson, Associate Professor of Religious Studies, University of Dayton

In addition to the comments submitted by readers for the individual postings of the conversation partners on the 1st, 10th and 20th of this month, some readers may wish to submit comments on the entire month’s conversation. To do so, follow this link.